World's Ugliest Dog Crowned PetSafe® Pet Hero

Mugly the dog, a previous winner of the World’s Ugliest Dog, has been crowned PetSafe Pet Hero 2015, proving that beauty is certainly more than skin deep. PetSafe pet product expert, launched a competition to find the UK’s pet hero earlier this year and was impressed by Mugly’s dedication to helping others despite his own difficult background.

Dropped at a rescue centre when he was just three days old, 11-year-old Mugly is easily recognised due to being hairless apart from one quirky eyebrow, but it was his gentle nature and big heart which really stood out to PetSafe brand and the judges.

Mugly regularly visits locals schools as part of the Read to Dogs scheme, which encourages nervous readers to speak out loud to dogs to boost their confidence, and also takes part in initiatives to help children feel comfortable around animals. As well as this, Mugly regularly visits adults with learning difficulties and sensory loss and is a certified Pets As Therapy dog.

When he is not working with vulnerable adults and children, you will find Mugly raising money for numerous charities including Cinque Ports Rescue, Guide Dogs for the Blind, The Chinese Crested Club of GB Rescue and Many Tears Animal Rescue.

Owner Bev Nicholson, from Peterborough, commented: “Mugly is a sweet, calm and sensitive dog who instantly knows how to behave in various situations. He amazes me with his ability to know exactly how to be when he meets people. With a blind person he stands completely still and lets them explore him, or when someone is upset he pushes his body into them for comfort.

I could just burst with pride when a child bumps into us with their parents who are saying ‘don’t touch the dog’ and the child replies ‘oh that’s OK, that’s Mugly, he won’t hurt me, he helps me to read’.”

PetSafe spokesperson Angela Critchley said: “It was incredibly difficult for us to choose this year’s Pet Hero - we received so many great entries about pets making a fantastic difference to the lives of their owners and local community.